PhD Study : Optimizing infant feeding strategies to improve growth and nutritional status pre surgery in children with major congenital heart disease

Summary

Background:

Congenital Heart Disease(CHD) is the most commonly occurring congenital abnormality. The incidence of CHD In Northern Ireland ranges from 8-10 per 1000 live births and there are approximately 200 children born each year with abnormalities of varying complexity. Meeting the nurturing requirements of a baby and finding the balance between energy expenditure and quality of the maternal infant bonding experience   in babies who are very symptomatic is a challenge for clinicians. Approximately  120  children have heart surgery each year , and many will require surgery in the first few months of life.  Nutritional status is a key risk factor influencing survival through surgery. Evidence informed advice and guidance on optimizing nutritional status are a necessity.

Main research questions

What  Clinical considerations impact on the decision making process regarding the type of infant feeding in the preoperative phase?

What are the key factors to be considered by the medical team in optimizing the nutritional status of babies preparing for heart surgery?

How do parents interpret the information they receive on infant feeding and make choices?

Can parents and professionals co-design information and advice to optimize nutritional status of infants preparing for heart surgery?

Method

The design of the study is exploratory. Mixed methods will be used to present accurate epidemiological data on infant feeding patterns and outcomes. Prospective case studies will illuminate the key issues facing parents and clinicians. Interviews with key clinicians, dieticians, Speech and Language therapists,  and cardiac nurses will provide the clinical information impacting on care. Parent and professional focus groups will be formed to synthesize the data and develop appropriate information and guidance.

Sample

Study participants will be identified from the Heartsuite Database at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children in the period 2010-2020 for babies who required surgical or catheter intervention in the first year of life. The estimated sample size would be 600 participants. The case studies will be identified by the paediatric cardiology team at The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Interviews will be conducted with the multiprofessional team.

Three focus groups with parents and professionals will be conclude the study by co-designing advice and guidance materials.

Impact

1.Provide important public health data on infant feeding practices in this vulnerable population

2.Highlight issues of nutritional concern for parents and professionals

3.Enhance the role of parents in the co-design of infant feeding guidance Outcomes from the research include the potential to impact on the co-development of infant feeding guidelines in specialist cardiac cases.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living